Hi all

Having decided to make a commitment to this here running lark, I thought it was about time I got some proper running shoes (rather than the 10 year old Adidas cross trainers been using up to now ) To that end I am off to a specialist running shop (Advance Performance in Peterborough if anyone has been there?) tomorrow to get sorted.

However, I mentioned this to my brother, who ran the FLM two years ago in a pair of Saucony trainers he bought online and he said "you don't need all that gait analysis rubbish to run 6 miles".

What do you guys think? Am I wasting my time and money??

I would still definitely recommend it, as it will tell you whether you are a neutral runner or if you over/under pronate, if you have the wrong shoes you won't be receiving the correct support.

Also 6 miles may not appear to be a very long distance, but you may want to increase it in time.

Your trainers above anything else are your most important investment.

I ran for just over a year in an old pair of trainers when I started, which was ok until I started to increase my milage.
That was when I started go get shin splint problems.

Went to a running shop where they studied my gate and sold me the appropriate shoes.

Some people may be lucky and have no problems,but I dont think I would be Running now if I hadn`t had it done.

Most shops don`t charge for the service,but would expect you to buy their shoes.

As for just running 6 miles,I`m sure your training will add up to hundreds of miles before you know it.

The actual race distance is of no consequence.

You can get away in a pair of daps should you wish but for someone starting off I think the fact that you get looked at correctly and then a pair of trainers suited to your style (and feet) is a good thing.

My brother has started recently and I suggested to him that he got 'looked at' but he said .... rubbish blah blah, anyway to cut a long story short, after suffering nasty shin splints he got a proper pair of running trainers from a specialist shop and cannot believe the difference.

Go for it I say.

How did it go in Advance Performace?
They are very thorough and extremely knoweledgable

Must confess, in my twenty years of running I've never had a gait analysis. But then, I mainly run off-road so I wear shoes with minimal mid-soles for a more positive grip on rough terrain. However, like your brother, I've worn Saucony Grid Jazz shoes for trails - and even wore them for a ten mile race when I found out at the last minute that part of the route was off-road. They were perfect. You could have a look at the Saucony Grid Jazz 7000 which wouldn't cost you the earth and would be perfectly suitable for either on or off-road running/training. Unlike your brother, I would never buy them on-line. Always try them on first and have a walk, or jog, around the shop to make sure they're OK.
My own opinion is that once you get into gait analysis they start 'discovering things' about your running style that call for 'stabilizing' or 'cushioning' etc. etc. which usually leads to them selling you a much more expensive shoe that isn't always necessary.

Cheers!

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Give me the hills!

I don't know Runningfox most specialist running shops are quite reasonable its in their best interst to keep you as a customer.

Aye, you could be right SE. As I said, I've never had it done, and never felt the need to. When I started running late in life I thought it neither necessary nor wise to change the mechanics of my foot plant. So far, so good.
Cheers!

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Give me the hills!

The way I would look at it is that for the sake of an hour or so of your time it will at least give you more information about yourself and you will be able to make a more informed decision.Many shops don't charge for a gate analysis and no one is going to force you to part with your cash,they wil offer advice.SE's right it wouldn't be in there interest to sell you a product that you don't need.
As Dave said, 6 miles isn't all you will be doing. If you run 2 or 3 times a week it soon builds up.
You may up your daily mileage in the future too.As TT said.
Sorry if all I have done is quote other people on this thread! If so many are saying the same thing then there is probably something worth considering .

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

And the way I look at it is - after 29,000 miles + of running I've had absolutely no need for gait analysis. Maybe I'm one of the lucky ones. Or on the other hand my lack of injuries could more probably be associated with hardly ever running on tarmac (other than racing) and not being a heel striker.
Cheers!

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Give me the hills!